CHUKA UMUNNA found himself backed into a corner for suggesting Theresa May could opt for a 'soft’ Brexit during a BBC debate.

The BBC's This Week host Andrew Neil and Daily Express columnist Ann Widdecombe appeared astonished as the Labour Party MP hailed Gina Miller for plotting to “build the biggest tactical voting effort in UK history” in another bid to hamper Britain’s exit from the EU.

Mr Umunna said Ms Miller, the businesswoman behind the Supreme Court case which forced Theresa May to seek parliamentary approval for triggering Article 50, was running a “helpful” project for the 48 per cent of Britons who wanted to remain a part of the European Union.

He said: “I think what Gina is doing is very interesting and actually very helpful in the context of this election for people who are part of that 48 per cent who want to know where different MPs stand on things.

“And I think what your project’s going to help people do is identify whether you’ve got somebody who is in favour of a ‘soft’ Brexit or…”

BBC

Chuka Umunna was told to explain himself after he said ‘soft’ Brexit was an option

Neil said: “You talk about voting for people who want to do the best for Britain, but that is just code for wanting to vote for people who want to stop Brexit, isn’t it? Everything you do is calculated to thwart Brexit, that’s what you’re about!

“There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a democracy. You can thwart whatever you want but why not just admit it, instead of having this kind of canopies of other motives.”

When Ms Miller claimed she “loved” the host could read her mind, he responded: “It’s not hard! You’ve just said the country we will be deserted by foreign workers, that is how you opened your piece – you think we are going to hell in a hand basket if we leave.”

Hitting back, Ms Miller said: “No, I’m interested in the facts. I’m not interested in any of the emotions in any of this, we have to be practical.”